'Barbarous conflicts unfold on livestream,' climate crisis accelerates, UN chief says

ISTANBUL

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that in today's world, "barbarous conflicts unfold on livestream," while the climate crisis is accelerating in Papua New Guinea.

Guterres is in Papua New Guinea to attend the country’s 50th independence anniversary, marking the first visit by a UN chief to the Pacific nation.

The UN chief also noted that efforts to reduce poverty have stalled while giving a speech at Papua New Guinea's parliament, according to a statement from the UN.

Other issues include "geopolitical tensions, runaway technologies, growing inequalities, and shrinking democratic space," he added.

"You are champions of multilateralism and international solutions. And that spirit is urgently needed in our world today," said Guterres to lawmakers.

Guterres also praised the island's diversity, with over 800 languages spoken and many traditions.

On climate change, Guterres said "time and time again" climate leadership's flow was witnessed from countries not "with the most wealth and power, but those who know the stakes firsthand."

"The Pacific Islands are ground zero for the impacts of climate change, and Papua New Guinea is home to two out of the three Pacific citizens," as well as 7% of the world's biodiversity and some of the largest coral reefs and rainforests on the planet.

"We must be ever vigilant in safeguarding these crucial ecosystems, and you have made the case that national protection deserves global support," he added.

Guterres also urged other countries to submit new national climate plans and take action on climate finance.

Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia on Sept. 16, 1975.